A long-serving Staffordshire solicitor has, this week, hung up his working boots after clocking up 35 years’ service with Stafford-based law firm Pickering and Butters.

David Worrall, 62, from Trentham, began working for the firm in 1978, aged 27, and as his career progressed, he quickly developed a strong and loyal client base, particularly specialising in the residential, commercial and agricultural property sectors.

In 1983, David became a partner in the business and became the firm’s senior partner at the age of 50, where he became responsible for managing the direction of the business as well as serving his existing clients.

Commenting on his time with the business, David said:

“Pickering and Butters has a tremendous client base whom we, as a team, have been working with for many years. In fact, such is our working relationship with them that we feel very much a natural extension of their business and sometimes even their family.

“My career with Pickering and Butters has had particular longevity because of the team of people that I have worked so closely with over the years and my many loyal clients.

“I have had 35 wonderful years but I wanted to leave the business on a high. I would like to be remembered for being professional to the core and for being a great working colleague.”

One of David’s most memorable experiences was when technology started to become more commonplace in businesses and, when asked what life at work was like without technology, he says: “We definitely worked at a slower pace!

“We noticed the change almost overnight – especially with the advent of email which enhanced the speed in which business was done. But, to this day, it hasn’t made us a paperless office. Being a solicitor means that we need hard copy evidence of everything we undertake for our clients – that’s solicitors for you!”

Will Johnson, managing partner at Pickering and Butters, comments: “It has been a pleasure working alongside David for so many years. His professionalism and dedication to the business, together with his down-to-earth and hard-working mentality, will be greatly missed and we wish him all the very best for a long and happy retirement.”

David is now looking forward to seeing the world on his travels, spending more time with his family and joining local clubs and associations.

Pickering and Butters was founded over a century ago, making it one of Staffordshire’s longest-established legal firms. As well as Rugeley, it has an office in Stafford; together, they provide a full range of legal services. The company is Lexcel accredited – awarded in recognition of its excellent client care and consistent high-quality service and practice management.